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Charlie B - Bee killer

Now I know why my good buddy Charlie gave me a deal on telescoping covers. He is so bothered that I beat him in his swarm baiting competition. Charlie, if you can't stand the heat don't start those threads.
We both keep bees in foggy exposures and he had figured out how many bees die on these covers on a wet morning. They fly in and land upside down in the condensed fog puddle on top of the covers, and die of exposure stuck upside down.
I count 20 on three hives this morning alone. Any suggestions on solving this problem? Maybe I will switch out to my new rough redwood western covers.

Re: Charlie B - Bee killer

Olly,

From what I saw when I used them the body count was allot less. Maybe because of the high wind they blew off. It seemed more bees were dead the first morning of a rain but were less the next day if it rained continually.

Re: Charlie B - Bee killer

Build you're covers with a slope so the water runs off. Or crown the metal before you staple it on so its high in the middle. Sloped they would still stack OK if you alternate directions. Provided you make them all the same.

Re: Charlie B - Bee killer

Heating pad! Put it under the cover - it will keep the roof warmer than air around and thus prevent condensation. I guess, you would also need a small electrical power station to power all those heating pads. The good thing is that the heating pads could potentially help in winter time! Good luck, Sergey

Re: Charlie B - Bee killer

Originally Posted by cerezha

The good thing is that the heating pads could potentially help in winter time! Good luck, Sergey

He's way to cheap for that. He talked me down to practically nothing when selling him those covers. And then he goes and paints them that awful "poop brown" color. The bees are dying from embarrassment, not drowning.

Re: Charlie B - Bee killer

Evil Charlie has been thwarted at almost no cost in his attempt to stomp me out as competition as another local honey producer. It is a wet and soggy morning, the bees are flying, and my no cost shade cloth covers have protected my bees from dying.